Natural Extract-Loaded Herbal Patches: Assessment for Biomedical Application

Medicinal plants like Moringa and Selaginella have gained attention for their potential in wound healing including antimicrobial and antioxidant attributes. Extracts from these plants have shown promise in accelerating wound healing processes, enhancing fibroblast cell proliferation and migration, and providing antioxidant benefits. The objective of this work was to assess the therapeutic potential of extracts loaded patches for biomedical applications.

Selaginella bryopteris L. and Moringa oleifera Lam. extracts were prepared using the cold maceration method. The prepared extracts were evaluated for antibacterial activity and antioxidant potential. Additionally, patches were prepared using polyvinyl alcohol and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose as polymers and evaluated for in vitro release, cell viability and biocompatibility characteristics.

The extract of both plants showed good antioxidant potency against ascorbic acid. Antibacterial activity revealed that Selaginella and Moringa extracts as well as patches consistently outperformed P. aeruginosa, B. subtilis, and S. aureus at varying concentrations. Physiochemical evaluation of patches indicated good weight uniformity, thickness, and folding endurance, with slight moisture uptake. Drug release profiles showed significant results for all formulations. The results of cell viability for patches showed an increased cell proliferation and were nontoxic.

The study suggests that both extract and patch show excellent antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus. The characterization results showed that the patches were uniform in their drug content, weight, and thickness, and they also indicated the reproducibility of the method used. In the in vitro release study of Selaginella bryopteris L. and Moringa oleifera Lam. patches were fitted to the Higuchi model and also patches were found harmless for the cells as well as increased proliferation of cells.